PM Modi’s Photograph Trampled During Kerala College Poll Campaign, Case Against 15 Students

Around 15 student activists affiliated with the Muslim Students Federation (MSF) and the Students’ Federation of India (SFI) have been booked for allegedly tearing up and trampling a photograph of Prime Minister Narendra Modi during a college union election campaign in Mannarkkad, Kerala.

According to police officials, the incident took place around 4.30 pm on October 13 outside MES Kalladi College, during the final campaign event, locally known as kottikkalasam, ahead of the college union elections.

The accused allegedly pulled down the Prime Minister’s photograph, threw it on the ground and trampled on it. The First Information Report (FIR) states that the act was allegedly carried out with the intention of provoking a public riot.

A case has been registered at the Mannarkkad police station under Section 192 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), which deals with deliberately committing an unlawful act with the intention or knowledge that it is likely to provoke a riot.

Police said the case was registered following a complaint by Biju, a BJP leader from Mannarkkad.

The incident occurred during a politically charged student election campaign, with activists from the two student organisations participating in the final round of campaigning. The allegations are part of the police case, and the FIR does not by itself establish the guilt of those named.

The case brings the conduct of student political campaigns under scrutiny, particularly when campaign activities involve acts alleged to threaten public order.